usc blog january 2012
TRANSCRIPT
8/3/2019 USC Blog January 2012
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/usc-blog-january-2012 1/2
Rossier Alumna Provides Words of EncouragementBy: Melissa Lox, MFT Class of 2009
What an honor to be chosen for this blog! I graduated from the USC MFT program in
2009, heavily in student loan debt, living/working in Orange County, and needing an
MFT position in Los Angeles to satisfy the requirements for a stipend I had been awarded.I emailed and called hundreds of agencies, wondering how anyone would hire me when
budgets were being slashed and candidates outnumbered positions. However, I stuck to
my plan, followed the steps that I will outline for you, and landed an Outpatient Therapist
position that came with great training to build more skills, which ultimately prepared me
to seek out an incredible career at Aviva Family & Children’s Services.
Stay Positive: Like most things in life, finding a job is more about your thoughts and
how you feel about your goals, than anything else. I doubted I would ever get a position
no matter how many contacts I had made (and I had a great job as a therapist in Orange
County, but it didn’t count for the stipend), until I changed my attitude. I started focusing
on what I loved about the job I had at the time, and looked for positions that were similar.I knew that I loved working with foster youth and I could use my experience and my
passion to be a great candidate for a similar workplace. Therefore, I recommend you
consider what you are good at, what your goals are, and seek out a job placement that
will allow you to utilize these skills and develop as a professional. Staying positive is key
to landing a job.
Get Organized: What are you looking for and what is important to you? After having
commuted during the MFT program, I wanted an agency that was close enough to where
I wanted to live. Other factors to consider might include whether or not you want to work
inside an office, in the field, part of a small or large agency. More specifically for MFTs,
is getting Department of Mental Health (DMH) experience a priority for you? When Iranked what I was looking for and matched those attributes with specific agencies, I had
more direction. I would encourage you to do the same in getting organized and making a
list of the factors that are most important to you.
Network: My current employer usually only hires from within or by current employee
referral. Therefore, I recommend that you seek advice and feedback from the people who
are already in the position you are seeking. Use your faculty advisors and site
supervisors: As an MFT alum, Dr. Clark and Dr. Andres were great for this! I would also
recommend that you take advantage of your current resources, such as Facebook and
professional organization community pages (i.e. CAMFT’s), because social networking
pays off.
Stay Informed: In my experience, most community mental health agencies will only hire
candidates with the right background. Do you have any experience implementing an
evidence-based practice (EBP)? Are you bilingual? How are your writing skills? Take the
time and put forth the energy to build on these skills and areas of competency. Also, take
into consideration your other areas of interest. I would encourage you to be clear about
who you are and where you are going as this can help you stand out during an interview.
8/3/2019 USC Blog January 2012
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/usc-blog-january-2012 2/2
Also, in my experience, potential employers want to know what your interests are, so
when the pressure on the job is on, they know you will have a great self care plan. I love
being a Health and Wellness Coach on my off time, and I shared about that passion
during my interview, which I believe was critical in showing what an asset I could be for
the employer.
It is my sincere hope that these ideas help you all in finding a great position after
graduation!
Wishing everyone great success in 2012!
Melissa Lox MFTI Intern
Multidisciplinary Assessor
Health & Wellness Coach